Why?

Too many kids are being denied their chance for academic success because they are assigned to poorly performing schools with no means to escape. Most failing schools are located in low-income neighborhoods, meaning too many low-income kids are denied access to a quality education. Zip codes should not define destiny!

Too many parents may not be aware that their children are enrolled in a low performing school. What is worse is that many may even believe that their children are doing well based on their report cards and testing statistics. But the fact is that “good” grades and “high” test scores often mean nothing if they come from under performing schools that are doing a poor job of educating their students.

But if parents don’t know that a school is failing their children, how would they know that something needs to be done about it?

And even if they know that their children’s schools are failing, if they don’t have the means to escape, what do they do?

Consider some alarming facts:

• Only 1 of 3 Hispanic and black children in 3rd grade will actually graduate from high school.

• In 2011, approximately 26% of Colorado’s third graders (16,472 children) scored below proficient on the statewide literacy assessment.

• In the 10 years from 2001 to 2011, Colorado’s third grade proficiency rates have seen no improvement, indicating that this crisis remains unaddressed.

• In Colorado Springs School District 11, only 70% of students who begin the 9th grade will complete the 12th grade and earn a high school diploma. Only 50% black and Hispanic 9th graders will graduate.

Choice and freedom are enshrined in virtually all aspects of American society. Why not education? Why is it that the poorest of our families are denied a choice about how and where their children are educated, but those with means enjoy multiple choices?

If you agree that this is a problem, one that must be addressed now, please join in the battle to make a difference. Please contact Parents Challenge by clicking here.

Why Not?

Justice and liberty define us as a country. Why shouldn’t children of all parents, not just those of financial means, have access to a quality education? Why should a family’s address dictate the quality of the school its children attend? Why do we allow so many children to remain in bad schools when there are life-changing options that only need to be made available to them?

This is why Parents Challenge exists – to level the playing field so that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential… to realize his or her dreams:

• We believe that all kids have the right and ability to be educated.

• We believe all parents care about their kids’ education.

• We believe parents, not bureaucrats, know what is best for their children.

• We believe schools exist to serve those children and should be accountable to them and their parents.

• We believe all parents should be free to choose the best educational option for their children.

• We believe empowering all parents means better education for all.

Most importantly, we believe that we can make these truths real in the lives of families in Colorado and, ultimately, across the country.

If you would like to help make a difference in the lives of kids right now, please contact us by clicking here.

A Message from Joyce Schuck, Chairperson, Parents Challenge

One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that many, too many, children living in low-income neighborhoods have no choice but to attend poor schools, condemning them to a continuing cycle of poverty. And with literally thousands upon thousands of children in Colorado forced to attend failing schools, it is a tragedy for our state as well.

All Colorado children should have access to a quality education. As a state, we must prepare our children to compete in a 21st century world that they will be facing.

We must improve the status quo.

Parents Challenge is dedicated to helping children escape failing schools and helping their parents choose the education that is best for them. We help parents learn about education options and how to pursue them.

Our program is built upon four key activities:

1) Parental Empowerment - helps parents determine how their children are doing academically, identify available options, and pursue those that are best. We help them become better advocates for their children, and for other children as well.

2) Grants and Scholarships - provides partial tuition funding for kids choosing to attend private schools as well as funds for transportation, computers, and tutoring for kids choosing public schools or charters, as well as curricula for homeschoolers.

3) Student Services - assists with evaluation, monitoring, and improvement of academic and cognitive skills and capabilities.

4) Community Engagement - works and collaborates with other service providing organizations throughout the community and with school boards and other key constituencies to improve educational quality for all kids.

Parents Challenge has spent a decade in this fight for our children. And while some progress has been made, it is not nearly enough. If you can share some of your time to help the cause, please contact us. If you can donate to help our kids, please do so. Time is short. We cannot lose another generation. Please help the kids, their families, and our community in any way you can.

Thank you,

Joyce